Interesting word, “sacralize.” I infer it means something like “sanctify,” or make holy. Maybe the meaning is related to sacrament, which then relates to sacrifice. God made all that exists, and declares it good. My calling is to open my heart to perceive the sacred in creation, even myself. The sacrifices you mention, e.g., poverty, are a means to remove any obstacle (or idol) that obscures my vision.
When I think about holy poverty, I think of it not (necessarily) as being about money but as an attitude about ownership. I own my house, but I regard it as a tool through which I can serve others. I get paid pretty well, and I generally regard the income as a tool God uses to bless the world around me. For me it’s about letting go of the “possession” aspect and trying to live as though I am a conduit of grace. Not sure if that’s what you’re getting at, though.
One of the reasons St. Francis objected to posessoions is because if he had anything, he would have to defend it. Posessions would distort his relationships with people. I am not sure that begging for food from someone doesn't didstort or at least influence one's relationship with people. I think any relationship at all impacts the relationship. That is whan relationhip is--changing and being changed by one another. The quality that is problematic is a defensive stance. That is becaue there is a power dynamic involved in a defense. I would argue, that if we usse Francis's logic, then we should not defend anyone with more power than us. We should only defend those with less power than we have. God, Jesus, the cross, institutions such as marriage need no defense. They can defend themselves. To use a capitalist image, they can compete in the marketplace, often by changing or adapting. If they can't then they aren't a very good deal, and the poor cannot afford them. Poverty involves relationships that are worth it, the relationship is affordable or free., it doesn't demand more than one can give,. One's own poverty puts you in a position to depend on others and to draw out the best in them. It puts others in a position to come to your aid and to defend you.
Interesting word, “sacralize.” I infer it means something like “sanctify,” or make holy. Maybe the meaning is related to sacrament, which then relates to sacrifice. God made all that exists, and declares it good. My calling is to open my heart to perceive the sacred in creation, even myself. The sacrifices you mention, e.g., poverty, are a means to remove any obstacle (or idol) that obscures my vision.
When I think about holy poverty, I think of it not (necessarily) as being about money but as an attitude about ownership. I own my house, but I regard it as a tool through which I can serve others. I get paid pretty well, and I generally regard the income as a tool God uses to bless the world around me. For me it’s about letting go of the “possession” aspect and trying to live as though I am a conduit of grace. Not sure if that’s what you’re getting at, though.
One of the reasons St. Francis objected to posessoions is because if he had anything, he would have to defend it. Posessions would distort his relationships with people. I am not sure that begging for food from someone doesn't didstort or at least influence one's relationship with people. I think any relationship at all impacts the relationship. That is whan relationhip is--changing and being changed by one another. The quality that is problematic is a defensive stance. That is becaue there is a power dynamic involved in a defense. I would argue, that if we usse Francis's logic, then we should not defend anyone with more power than us. We should only defend those with less power than we have. God, Jesus, the cross, institutions such as marriage need no defense. They can defend themselves. To use a capitalist image, they can compete in the marketplace, often by changing or adapting. If they can't then they aren't a very good deal, and the poor cannot afford them. Poverty involves relationships that are worth it, the relationship is affordable or free., it doesn't demand more than one can give,. One's own poverty puts you in a position to depend on others and to draw out the best in them. It puts others in a position to come to your aid and to defend you.